JP2006523588A - Tilt tray sorting conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a tilt tray type sorting conveyor, and this tilt tray type sorting conveyor includes a carriage (2) connected to each other and a carrier tray (8) disposed on these carriages (2). These carrier trays (8) can be swung to the load unloading position by tilt drive devices arranged on the carriage (2), respectively. Acting on the free lower end of at least one rocker arm which can be swiveled around the tilting axis supported by this, and this rocker arm has a carrier tray at the center of the upper end in the opposite direction. According to the present invention, the tilt drive device is provided at the free lower end of the rocker arm, and can be driven with a rotation shaft parallel to the tilt motor (11) and the tilt shaft (7). It has a pinion (12), and this pinion (12) meshes with a rack (15) fixed to the carriage (2) in a direction transverse to the traveling direction, and this rack (15) is a carrier tray (8). The tilt angle of the rack (15) corresponds to the maximum rocker arm angle required to tilt the carrier tray (8) to the unloading position at least. .

Description

  The present invention is a tilt-tray sorting conveyor, in particular for parcels, small parcels, containers and baggage, which are connected to each other in rows and are capable of running along running rails and arranged on these carriages At least one carrier tray, and the carrier tray is transported in a horizontal direction by a tilting drive device disposed on the carriage for delivery of a transported material positioned on the carrier tray. The tilting drive device that controls the swing movement of the carrier tray in this case is capable of turning to the loading and unloading position around the tilting axis extending in the traveling direction from the position. This rocker arm is pivotable about the tilting shaft supported by the carriage, and About of the type in the center of and a carrier tray.

  In order to transport and individualize individual packages, a “tilt tray type sorting device” has been used for a long time. In this case, the transported goods are received by track-guided vehicles, which have a load carrier formed in the form of a carrier tray on the upper side, which is in the horizontal direction for load transport. And can be tilted to unload the cargo.

  A tilt tray conveyor of this type is known per German patent 4090308. In this tilt tray conveyor, the carrier tray can be tilted by the following: a selected cam push rod roller (Nockentosselroll) coupled to the tiltable carrier tray is pulled first outward and then downward. Is possible. When pulled outwards, the rollers move outwardly with the corresponding pivoting movement of the arms of the guide section, thereby allowing downward movement of the arms when guided along the section. The tilting body and the carrier tray are tilted by this downward movement. During the tilting, another roller is guided and moves upward. In this case, the arm remains in an almost unchanged angular position, so that the roller returns to the starting position when the return tilt continues. Despite the roller sliding along the corresponding curve guide in a plane perpendicular to the direction of travel, a high resistance is generated for the roller that is pulled outward. This outward pull is obstructed by the internal pull of a similar roller on opposite arms. Therefore, the frictional resistance is correspondingly large, and the roller and the arm are correspondingly highly loaded. This known means can therefore be used for relatively small transports whose weight does not exceed several kilograms at best.

  Furthermore, according to French Patent Publication No. 2528403, a sorting conveyor having a carriage which can be driven individually is known. These carriages are provided with a carrier tray that can be swiveled around a tilting shaft extending in the traveling direction. These carrier trays have rocker arms that extend downward at intervals in the running direction on the lower side, and these rocker arms are supported by a carriage in the central region of the tilt shaft. A tilting mechanism engages with the end of the free rocker arm. This tilt mechanism is mainly formed of a double lever, and this double lever is centered on a first axis extending parallel to the tilt axis and a second axis extending transversely to the traveling direction. It is supported by a carriage so that it can pivot. The first end of the double lever is pivotally coupled to the free rocker arm end, and the second end has a roller that is pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis. . These rollers are lifted by a stationary curvilinear rail, which extends along the running rail and extends vertically, for the carrier tray tilting process. Is pivoted about a second axis for unlocking and then pivoted about a first axis for tilting the carrier tray.

  Known tilt tray conveyors are extremely complex. This is because labor-intensive mechanical rollers, levers and rods are required to introduce the tilting movement of the carrier tray, and these rollers, levers and rods are similarly troublesome provided at the conveyor travel distance. This is because such rails, rollers and guides cooperate with the tilting region of the carrier tray. The tilt angle of the carrier tray is defined invariantly by the geometrical arrangement of these mechanical components, and the time and method of tilting are defined by the configuration of the mechanical guide along with the distance traveled by the conveyor. ing.

  It is an object of the present invention to improve a known tilt tray type conveyor, to enable a flexible introduction of the tilting movement of the carrier tray in a simplified and thus inexpensive configuration type, and to tilt the carrier tray as a result. It is to be variably controlled and adjustable.

  In order to solve this problem, according to the present invention, the tilting drive device is fixed to the free lower end of the rocker arm, and the electric motor capable of changing the rotation direction and the tilting shaft that can be driven by this electric motor. At least one pinion with a parallel axis of rotation, the pinion corresponding to a curved rack fixed to the carriage transversely to the direction of travel, the rack being connected to the carrier tray It is proposed that the arcs of the rack extend at equal intervals with respect to the tilting axis and correspond to the maximum rocker arm swing angle required to tilt the carrier tray to the unloading position.

  A feature of the means according to the invention is the arrangement of the tilt drive which travels together on the carriage in the form of an electric motor fixed to the rocker arm. The electric motor cooperates with one or two racks fixed to the carriage frame. With such a device, unlike the known ones with different configurations according to the prior art, the tilting drive device comprises a respective guide rail, curve member and control roller provided at the conveyor travel distance and another machine. It becomes irrelevant to typical rods and levers. According to the present invention, the tilt of the carrier tray can be obtained simply by controlling the electric motor supported by the rack, thereby bringing the rocker arm and the carrier tray fixed to the rocker arm to the tilted position. Can do. The racks are arranged in an arch shape corresponding to the track in which the rocker arm turns around the tilt axis by the electric motor. In this case, the length of each rack is adapted to the required maximum swing angle of the rocker arm. Yes.

  In a simple configuration of the present invention, each pinion is arranged directly on the output shaft of the electric motor. An electric motor is a simple, small and inexpensive motor. This is because, based on the lever action of the rocker arm, in the corresponding weight distribution between the carrier tray and the electric motor, a very small moment can be applied to turn even the carrier tray loaded with heavy transported goods. Because it is good.

  Advantageously, two rocker arms are engaged with each carrier tray, and an electric motor is fixed to the free lower end of these rocker arms, and this electric motor has one gear on each end of the motor shaft. And this gear corresponds to one of each of two curved racks fixed to the carriage.

  According to the present invention, the electric motor can be controlled by a controller disposed in an upper region of the rocker arm near the carrier tray. From this controller, for example, “turn right” or “turn left”. Receive the necessary signals. No further mechanical device is required. The controller is preferably housed in a housing located below the carrier tray.

  According to another feature of the present invention, a locking mechanism is provided between the rocker arm and the carriage to prevent unintentional swiveling of the carrier tray during the loading and transporting of the conveyor, especially at linear travel distances. By this lock mechanism, the carrier tray can be cut off at the transport position in the horizontal direction.

  Advantageously, the locking mechanism consists of a locking pin arranged on the rocker arm, the locking pin being electromagnetically lockable by a carriage. The locking pin can be run or run by, for example, a magnet mover, and can be moved into a notch or between stoppers rigidly arranged on the carriage.

  In order to prevent the carrier tray from tilting beyond a prescribed value, according to another feature of the present invention, the rocker arm swing angle is electronically controlled. And the end stoppers provided on the carriage on both sides of the swing distance. These end stoppers may be passively formed, for example in the form of rubber cams or in the form of limit switches, by means of these rubber cams or limit switches when the electric motor reaches the end position. Is switched to stop.

  As an additional support for the tilt drive and to assist the return of the carrier tray to the starting position, according to another feature of the invention, the horizontal transport position of the carrier tray is It can be adjusted by the spring force acting on.

  Such a spring may be formed, for example, in the form of a leaf spring fixed on one side, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rocker arm in the unloading position and is attached to the carriage. When the spring return force is stored between the provided stoppers and the rocker arm is displaced from the stationary position, i.e. when the electric motor is operated, the rocker arm is immediately swung to the predetermined tilting position together with the carrier tray. The spring is pressed against the stopper, in which case tension is applied. When the driving force of the electric motor is interrupted, the spring acts immediately in the opposite direction, and provides support for returning and returning the rocker arm to the carrier tray transfer position.

  In order to supply energy to the electric motor and the controller belonging to the electric motor, according to another feature of the invention, a trolley wire is provided at the carriage travel distance to supply drive current and / or control current. Is provided. This type of energy supply and control is well known and will not be further described here.

  In the special configuration of the present invention, the carrier tray is intentionally swung from the horizontal position to an arbitrary position between the horizontal transfer position and the unloading position by the tilt drive device and the control device of the tilt drive device. This is possible and can be temporarily fixed in this position. This “variable” tilting of the carrier tray makes it possible to tilt the carrier tray at any angle, for example at a curved distance, thereby counteracting the centrifugal force acting on the conveyed product. The tilt can be adapted to the centrifugal force caused by the curve or the speed of the vehicle, and the return to the horizontal position after passing the curve can be controlled without problems by the control system of the tilt tray sorting conveyor It is possible.

  Advantageously, according to the present invention, the required time, speed and acceleration of the tilting process of the carrier tray can be controlled. Similarly, the tilting process of the carrier tray can be controlled according to the size and position of the transported object located on the carrier tray. And can be controlled in relation to weight. In this way, it is possible to individually adapt the unloading process to the load and the unloading space.

  When two carrier trays are arranged on one carriage, according to another feature of the invention, independent or simultaneous control of the tilting movement of both carrier trays can be implemented.

  According to the present invention, a control system for a column of tilt tray sorting conveyors is provided between a power supply line for the system, a junction box connected to a host computer and a controller located on each carriage. Between each of the communication lines and the controllers of the carriages adjacent to each other between each of the communication lines provided for self-addressing of these carriages and between each of the carriage controllers and the associated electric motor and lock pin. And the power supply line provided in

  The method for controlling a tilt tray conveyor of the type described above is such that after communication with a host computer storing information necessary for operation of the transport system, the junction box is connected in the form of a row. The address is transmitted to the controller defined as the master, which is arranged in each carriage, and this controller sends the address for self-addressing to another carriage in the column, and eventually the last carriage in the column is configured. Until the carriage is self-configured, the address is transmitted to the next carriage for self-configuration. For example, one master controller is assigned to a row of 8 or 32 carriages, and an address is assigned to this master controller from a connection box. This address is automatically sent from the master controller to the subsequent carriage control system at the start of the column. Subsequent carriages are naturally configured correspondingly, in which case the process is repeated. That is, the address is transmitted from carriage to carriage until all carriages are addressed. This has the advantage that in the event of a defect in the control system, it is only necessary to physically replace the defective part. This is because a new control system is built by itself.

  According to another feature of the invention, the angular position of the rocker arm is changed to the controller via a communication line between the connection box connected to the higher-order calculator and the controller arranged in each carriage. It is proposed that an operating command for the electric motor is supplied. Each controller can operate the electric motor with different presettable profiles, so that the unloading method can be applied to the material to be transported as well as the geometry of the unloading space. Can also respond.

  According to the present invention, system diagnosis and statistical data can also be exchanged via the provided communication line.

  Advantageously, the electric motor and the lock pin provided on the rocker arm are associated with each other as follows, i.e. the lock pin is electromagnetically unlocked before the electric motor is activated. . This ensures that the carrier tray will not be unintentionally tilted at the time of failure.

  Although the tilt tray type conveyor according to the present invention has a very simple configuration, it is extremely variable in use. An electric motor that runs together on each carriage and acts directly on the rocker arm that supports the carrier tray and is controlled by the host computer and the onboard controller allows the conveyor to run in the system without mechanical changes. Not only can the carrier tray unloading be introduced at any point in the distance, but in particular the tilt angle, tilt speed or acceleration and curve tilt of the conveyor can also be changed. The control device is easily programmable, so that overall it is significantly simplified compared to the prior art and an improved transport system is formed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a tilt tray type conveyor according to the present invention by reference numeral 1. A carriage labeled 2 is guided on a running rail 4 of the conveyor system by a horizontal wheel 3. A vertical guide wheel 5 holds the carriage 2 in the track. The frame portion 6 extending upward of the carriage 2 is provided with a horizontal tilting shaft 7 for both rocker arms 9. A carrier tray 8 is fixed to the rocker arm 9 by 10. In the drawing, only the rocker arms in front of the two rocker arms located in front of each other can be seen. The width of the upper side of the rocker arm 9 is widened, so that the lower side of the carrier tray 8 can be fixed better. The rocker arm 9 extends downward beyond the tilting shaft 7, and in this case, an electric motor 11 is fixed between the rocker arm 9 at the lower end. The electric motor 11 has one pinion 12 at both ends of the output shaft, and each pinion 12 meshes with one arcuate rack 13. These racks 13 are fixed to the frame portion 6 of the carriage 2 at intervals parallel to each other in the lateral direction with respect to the traveling direction of the carriage 2. When the electric motor 11 is operated, the pinion 12 meshes with the rack 13, and the rocker arm 9, and thus the carrier tray 8, with the tilting shaft 7 as the center, the right direction in relation to the controllable rotation direction of the electric motor 11. Or move to the left. The end position of the rocker arm is limited by a stopper or limit switch 14.

  The frame portion 6 on which the tilting shaft 7 is supported is provided with a lock mechanism 15 for at least one rocker arm 9, and in this lock mechanism 15, the rocker arm and by extension, the carrier tray moves the carrier tray in the horizontal direction. The lock pin 16 can be engaged with each other. The movement of the rocker arm and the control of the electric motor are obtained via a controller. This controller is incorporated in a housing (not shown) in the upper region 17 of the rocker arm 9 below the carrier tray 8. The controller (also in a form not shown) is controlled via a bus or trolley wire provided in the frame of the running rail 4 or below the carriage 2.

  Reference numeral 27 denotes a leaf spring. The leaf spring 27 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rocker arm 9 at the load release position, and is fixed to one of the rocker arms 9 in the region of the tilting shaft 7. When the rocker arm 9 is displaced from the vertical position, the leaf spring 27 is pressed against the right or left stopper 28 provided on the frame portion 6 of the carriage 2 to be curved. The force is stored in the leaf spring 27 and this force tries to return the rocker arm 9. This spring returns the carrier tray 8 to the neutral position even if the drive unit fails.

  The supply of the drive current and / or the control current is performed in a known manner via a trolley wire provided at the travel distance of the carriage 2. In the present invention, the carrier tray 8 is intentionally swung from a horizontal position to an arbitrary position between the horizontal transfer position and the load unloading position by the tilt drive device and the control device for the tilt drive device. It is also possible to temporarily fix the position. As a result, the unloading position, the tilt angle, and the transport position of the carrier tray 8 can be changed very flexibly. In this case, the carrier tray is subjected to the centrifugal force that is applied when the carriage 2 is curved. It is very easy to tilt 8.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows a circuit diagram of a control device for the tilt tray type conveyor. The feed line for the system is indicated by reference numeral 18. The power supply line 18 supplies power to the controllers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in a row including a total of eight carriages. However, only three controllers 1, 2, 8 of these controllers 1-8 are shown. Each controller is connected to each electric motor M via the communication line 19, thereby enabling the drive device to be individually operated.

  A junction box 26 is shown on the left side of the drawing. The connection box 26 is connected to a 65V DC power supply 20. The connection box 26 is connected via a data connection 21 to a host computer, preferably the main port 22 of the PC. From the connection box 26, serial communication lines 23 lead to the respective controllers 1-8. Communication in both directions can be obtained via this line, so that, for example, statistical data can also be called up. Further, the connection box 26 is connected to the adjacent first controller 1 via the line 24, and the first controller 1 is further connected to the adjacent controller 2 via the line 25. In the same form, all successive controllers 1-8 are connected to each other. This concatenation is useful for self addressing. This is because, for example, a “master-carrier” is defined in each column of eight carriages, and the PC distributes addresses to the master carrier via a connection box. At start-up, the master carrier automatically passes the address to the controller of the subsequent carriage, so that the controller is configured accordingly. This process is repeated via data lines 24 or 25 until all carriages are configured with corresponding addresses. If any one controller has to be replaced due to a defect, this configuration only requires a physical replacement. This is because the exchanged control system is naturally configured.

The control system described above has the following main commands:
a Controlled swinging motion of the rocker arm to the right starting from the center point where the rocker arm is positioned approximately vertically (horizontal carrier tray),
b Controlled rocker arm movement from the center point to the left,
c Returning to the center point from one of the two sides of the rocker arm extending downward,
d Perform a controlled rocker arm movement from right to left and from left to right.

  In connection with the main commands a and b, the rocker arm is initially blocked at the central position by a lock pin. In order to execute commands a, b and d, the controller must first remove the lock pin. This is done by supplying an operating electromagnetic relay, and a drive position test is simultaneously performed by the controller under the control of this relay, so that the rocker arm remains in a predetermined position. As soon as the lock pin is fully released from the lock, the controller activates the electric motor drive, which causes the rocker arm to pivot.

The rocker arm pivot to the side can be explained by three movements.
a The rocker arm is slid until it reaches the leftmost or rightmost position.
b The rocker arm is slid until it reaches an intermediate position relative to the right or left side.
c The rocker arm is slid to either side of both and then moves to any intermediate position between the left and right sides.

  The movement of a) and b) corresponds to the unloading of the carrier tray to the right side or the left side, and the sliding of c) is the movement of the conveyed item on the carrier tray or the conveyed item when passing the curve distance. Works for compensation of centrifugal force acting on.

It is a cross-sectional view of the carriage of the tilt tray type conveyor according to the present invention. It is a circuit diagram of the control apparatus by this invention.

Claims (20)

  A tilt-tray sorting conveyor, in particular for parcels, small parcels, containers and baggage, which is connected to each other in the form of a row and can travel along a traveling rail, and at least one disposed on the carriage The carrier tray travels from the horizontal transport position by a tilting drive device disposed on the carriage to send out the transported material that is placed on the carrier tray and transported. The tilting drive device that controls the swinging movement of the carrier tray is engaged with the free lower end of the rocker arm that extends downward. The rocker arm is pivotable about the tilting axis supported by the carriage, and has a carrier tray at the center of the opposite upper end. The tilting drive device is fixed to the free lower end of the rocker arm (9), and the tilting shaft can be driven by the electric motor (11) capable of changing the rotation direction and the electric motor (11). A curved rack (12) having a pinion (12) having a rotation axis parallel to (7), the pinion (12) being fixed to the carriage (2) transversely to the traveling direction 13), the rack (13) extends at equal intervals with respect to the tilting shaft (7) of the carrier tray (8), and the arc degree of the rack (13) is at least the carrier tray (8). A tilt tray type sorting conveyor, which corresponds to the maximum rocking angle of the rocker arm (9) required for tilting the truck to the unloading position.   The tilt tray sorting conveyor according to claim 1, wherein each pinion (12) is arranged directly on the output shaft of the electric motor (11).   Two rocker arms are engaged with each carrier tray, and an electric motor (11) is fixed between free lower ends of the rocker arms, and the electric motor (11) is respectively attached to both ends of the motor shaft. 3. A tilt tray sorting conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, comprising one gear, said gear corresponding to each one of two curved racks (13) fixed to the carriage. .   The electric motor (11) is controllable by a controller (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) arranged in an upper region of the rocker arm (9) near the carrier tray. The tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to any one of 1 to 3.   A locking mechanism is provided between the rocker arm (9) and the carriage (2) so that the carrier tray (8) can be cut off at the conveying position in the horizontal direction by the locking mechanism. The tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to any one of 4 to 4.   The tilt tray according to claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a lock pin (16) arranged on the rocker arm (9), and the lock pin (16) can be electromagnetically locked by the carriage (2). Formula sorting conveyor.   The rocking angle of the rocker arm (9) is electronically controllable and can be limited by end stoppers and / or limit switches (14) provided on the carriage (2) on both sides of the rocking distance. The tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   8. The tilt tray sorting conveyor according to claim 7, wherein the end stopper and / or limit switch (14) mechanically cooperates with a lock pin (16) arranged on the rocker arm (9).   The tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the horizontal conveying position of the carrier tray (8) can be adjusted by a spring force acting on the rocker arm (9).   The spring is formed in the form of a leaf spring (27) fixed on one side, the leaf spring (27) extending parallel to the rocker arm longitudinal axis in the unloaded position; 10. The tilt tray sorting conveyor according to claim 9, wherein a spring return force is stored between the stoppers (28) provided on the carriage as soon as the rocker arm (9) is displaced from the rest position.   11. The tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the supply of the drive current and / or the control current is obtained via a trolley wire (30) provided in the travel distance of the carriage.   The carrier tray (8) is intentionally turned from the horizontal position to an arbitrary position between the horizontal transfer position and the unloading position by the tilt drive device (electric motor 11) and the control device of the tilt drive device. The tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which is enabled and temporarily fixable at the position.   The tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the required time, speed and acceleration of the tilting process of the carrier tray (8) are controllable.   14. Tilt according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the tilting process of the carrier tray (8) is controllable in relation to the size, position and weight of the goods located on the carrier tray (8). Tray type sorting conveyor.   15. When two carrier trays (8) are arranged in one carriage, independent control or simultaneous control of the tilting movement of both carrier trays (8) can be carried out. 2. A tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to item 1.   A control system (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) for a row of tilt tray type sorting conveyors is provided, and the control system (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) Power supply line (18) for connection, a connection box (26) connected to a host computer, and controllers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) arranged in individual carriages For the self-addressing of the carriage (2) between the controllers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) of the communication line (23) between the adjacent carriages (2) in the column Each of the communication lines (24, 25) provided in the controller, the controller (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) of each carriage (2), the associated electric motor (11) and the lock With pin (16) Consists of the feed line (19), a tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 15.   17. The method for controlling a tilt tray sorting conveyor according to claim 1-16, wherein the junction box is connected to the upper computer after storing information necessary for operation of the transport system. Communicates an address to a controller, defined as a master, located on each carriage coupled in a form, which passes the address to another carriage in the column for self-addressing, 17. A method for controlling a tilt tray sorting conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein after addressing all the carriages in a row, the address is handed over to the next carriage for self-configuration. .   Via the communication line between the connection box connected to the host computer and the controller located on each carriage, the controller is given an operation command for the electric motor to change the position of the rocker arm. The method of claim 17, which is provided.   The method of claim 18, wherein system diagnostic data and statistical data are exchanged via a communication line.   The tilt tray type sorting conveyor according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the lock pin for the rocker arm is electromagnetically unlocked before the operation of the electric motor.

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